Local Startups, Born Global: Keynote speaker Tom Hillman explains how this phrase has more significance now than ever

The 2015 World Trade Center St. Louis Growing Global luncheon held on Friday, September 25 at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton featured dignitaries, corporations large, medium, and small, local start-ups, non-profits and students. In essence, there was something for everyone.

Kevin O’Malley, US Ambassador to Ireland, received the Global Ambassador Award at the luncheon. He said, “It’s great that the World Trade Center has been so active in promoting trade in Europe and particularly in Ireland, so I accept this award on behalf of those who are so cleverly and effectively working to create and broaden the bridge between the United States and Ireland.”

Keynote speaker Tom Hillman, of FTL Capital Partners and Lewis & Clark Ventures, said, “Our region is more ready to participate on a global stage than most people think. While there is always more to be done, the infrastructure to support increased exports from Born Global businesses, along with small to medium sized businesses, is largely in place.”